Honolulu Advertiser | Na Heke: The 2001 'Ilima Awards

L & L Drive Inn • Favorite Plate Lunch

Eddie Flores' 50-restaurant franchise chain captures the Favorite Plate Lunch title year after year. It's a formula, yes, but one that works: hearty portions, quickly served in clean, convenient locations coupled with a keen understanding of Hawai'i's preferred flavors (lotta shoyu, lotta sugar, deep-fry it and rice with everything).

What's good? Patrons line up for the chicken katsu, orange chicken, shrimp curry, beef stew, teri pork chops, fried mahimahi, short ribs, spicy chicken, sweet and sour pork, spareribs, short ribs and, of course, saimin and chili. Daily specials vary at these independently owned eateries, keeping the menu interesting.

Multiple locations. Hours vary. Take out or eat in. No reservations needed. No credit cards. No checks. $.

Anna Miller's 24-Hour Restaurant • Favorite for Breakfast

This constantly busy family restaurant has always been a hit with our readers for the 'ono pancake breakfasts delicious pies, affordable prices and diner-style menu of familiar American dishes. This year Anna Miller wins the breakfast kudos for their price-conscious, kid-friendly 24-hour-a-day morning menu.

What's good? You can get fresh papaya and pineapple every day, as well as the standard breakfasts, pancakes, waffles, omelets and eggs done any way with a variety of sides (cheese, Spam, Portuguese sausage, onions, chili, ham, bacon, tomatoes, avocado, pastrami, what's your pleasure?). More luxurious breakfasts include Eggs Benedict, French toast, Eggs Florentine, N.Y. steak and eggs, pork chops and eggs or that Southern special, chicken fried steak (sorry, no grits).

98-115 Kaonohi St.; 487-2421. Open 24 hours daily. Coffee shop staples, local favorites, pies, specializes in breakfast. Reservations recommended. VS, MC, AX, DC, DS, JCB. No checks. $.

Pagoda Hotel Floating Restaurant • Favorite for Brunch

The Pagoda Hotel's Pagoda Floating Restaurant is so called because of the well-known Japanese garden and pond of koi and ulua fish that surround the dining rooms, providing a visually pleasing setting for family celebrations or just an after-church brunch treat. Groups of eight or more can reserve one of the semi-private teahouses. This perennial favorite, hidden away on a cross street between Ke'eaumoku and Kalakaua, offers affordable prices and a large, local-friendly selection of dishes.

What's good? This brunch spread is exactly what Islanders think a buffet should be: generous, varied, loaded with eat-all-you-can-hold seafood and pretty desserts. Always on the menu: eggs a variety of different ways (including an omelet station), prime rib, crab and shrimp, sushi, tempura, crepes, salads, a changeable selection of chicken and fish specials and the oh-so-necessary spread of cakes, pies, mousses, pastries and ice cream for dessert. Whew! Are you full yet?

Pagoda Hotel, 1525 Rycroft St.; 941-6611. Breakfast: 6:30-10:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday; 6:30-9:30 a.m. Sunday. Lunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Dinner: 5-9:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 4:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Sunday Brunch: 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Reservations recommended. VS, MC, AX, DC, DS, JCB. Checks accepted. Lunch: $, Brunch and Dinner: $$.

Sam Choy Breakfast, Lunch & Crab • Favorite for Lunch

Just that side of Kmart, just this side of Honolulu's industrial piers, is the warehouse that's home to Sam Choy's second O'ahu restaurant, Breakfast Lunch & Crab. The emphasis here is, as always with Sam's eateries, ample portions of local-style favorites with a sophisticated edge, friendly staff and a feeling of aloha, especially for kids. Sam's own Big Aloha Beer is brewed on-site by brewmaster David Campbell. It a big, loud, cavernous place that's a lot of fun. If you're having a special party, see if you can get the table by the boat so the kids can pretend to go out fishing with Uncle Sam.

What good to eat? Everything's 'ono at lunchtime. Spicy popcorn shrimp, golden fried oysters and rich, creamy, oven-baked Kahuku luau crab dip (crab, spinach, artichokes, capers, topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses) are favorite starters. Sam's famous fried poke and kalua pork quesadillas are also musts. Then move on to the BLC sandwich (bacon, lettuce and crab), a lava burger (crab cake, hamburger and Swiss cheese), or a grilled vegetable sandwich. If your tastes lean toward roasted garlic Dungeness crab, king crab or Maine lobster, they await you, as well. We didn't even mention the noodles, steaks or clam chowder. Next time.

580 N. Nimitz Highway; 545-7979. 6:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. daily. Sophisticated local-style seafood, plate lunch, breakfasts. Reservations recommended. VS, MC, AX, DC, DS, JCB. Local checks accepted. $$.

Sarento's Top of the I • Favorite for Dinner

If it's a night for romance, a time to celebrate that big sale or impress business associates, it's a night for Sarento's with its view from the top of the Ilikai Hotel, its knowledgeable staff and its sophisticated but approachable Italian/Mediterranean menu. This is another in the Tri-Star group, perennial 'Ilima winners.

What's good? Repeat diners mention the baked oysters alla Francis with tarragon Pernod cream and crispy pancetta, shrimp scampi, black and blue 'ahi or Alaskan king crab cake with tomato sorbet for starters. Among entrees, 'Ilima voters speak well of the seafood mixed grill, diver sea scallops and twin Caribbean lobster tails, as well as kiawe-grilled filet mignon, rack of lamb and the roasted veal chop.

Ilikai Hotel, 1777 Ala Moana Blvd.; 955-5559. Dinner: 5:30-9:15 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5:30-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Italian. Reservations recommended. VS, MC, AX, DC, DS, JCB. Checks accepted. $$$.

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